Learn about grounding in a few minutes

by TangPaul August 1, 2025

What Is Grounding?

Grounding, also known as earthing, is when you stand on the earth or have contact with a product that’s grounded into the earth. This is thought to connect your body to the natural electric charge of the earth and transfer electrons into your body. Though there's not a lot of solid research into the practice, a few studies have found that soaking up electrons might help lower inflammation, ease stress, and improve sleep, to name a few.

Some think grounding, also known as vitamin G or electronic nutrition, fixes an “electron deficiency syndrome” that they say plays a role in multiple health disorders. In other words, spending time on a grounding mat, walking in your yard, or wading in a lake might help counteract the effects of not having direct contact with the earth. But because grounding's health benefits are unproven, you should never use it in place of medical treatment.

How Does It Work?

The earth is electronically active, with lots of electrons floating on the surface. The human body absorbs electricity from the earth, which produces changes that may help to support our health.

Historically, people spent more time outdoors with their feet and bodies directly on the ground. But today, most people have little direct contact with the earth. As a result, the theory goes, our bodies build up positive static electric charges that can’t be released unless we connect to the ground. Grounding is thought to neutralize those positive charges by absorbing negative electrons to balance you out.

Proponents say that the electrons we absorb through grounding work as natural antioxidants to neutralize harmful free radical molecules in your body. They believe that exposure to the electrons is vital for functioning at your best. It's said to help improve sleep, heal wounds, and reduce inflammation linked to a variety of ailments.

Walking or touching the earth may not be the only way to experience grounding. You can buy a variety of grounding products that plug into outlets or are inserted into the ground.

Earthing Products

From grounding sheets to adhesive patches and earthing shoes, these conductive products claim to help your body absorb electrons. You either plug them into a wall outlet with a ground, or place an attached wire into the soil directly.

If you plug one of these products into an outlet, make sure it’s properly grounded by usingh an outlet checker. Some product manufacturers include these when you buy an earthing item. You can find them online or pick one up at a hardware store.

Grounding mat

Earthing mats go under your feet while you sit or stand, or are placed on your desk so they touch your hands and arms as you work. Many people sit and meditate on grounding mats. You can buy yoga mats with grounding technology in them.

Grounding sheets

You sleep directly on grounding sheets, which have a conductive material (usually carbon or silver) woven into their fibers. This material is connected to a wire that can be grounded through a wall outlet or outside into the ground.

Slver can become oxidized due to washing and sweat, so these sheets may become less effective over time, according to The Earthing Institute.

Grounding mattress pad

An earthing mattress pad works similarly to the grounding sheets. You can sleep on it directly or place it underneath sheets. Some manufacturers say there should only be one layer between your body and the mat to maximize conductivity.

Grounding socks

Like earthing sheets, grounding socks contain conductive materials like silver.Some plug them into an outlet or connect to the earth using a wire. Another kind of grounding sock is made of material that attracts electrons. You can wear them outdoors if you don’t want to go barefoot.

Grounding shoes

Earthing shoes have a conductive plug at the sole, near the ball of your foot.

Grounding patches

Another way to bring electrons into your body is to attach a sticky patch onto your skin. The patch snaps onto a cord that can be plugged into the grounding port of an outlet.

Grounding rod

Earthing cords, also called grounding rods, connect grounding products directly into the ground when an outlet isn’t available. You just clip one onto the earthing product and push it into moist soil. You can run the cord through an open window or door.